August 10, 2002

Porn Star Interview: Rod Barry

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Supercute Rod Barry is newly blond. “I was down in Florida,” he says, “drank a six-pack and decided to get my hair bleached.” That isn’t the only change this 28-year-old porn veteran has made in his life recently. After starting a wildly successful porn career in 1996—appearing in more than 30 films and being nominated for numerous awards—Barry has rejoined the industry with a vengeance. Besides his latest videos, including Falcon’s Deception, All Worlds’ Bringing Out Brother and MSR’s White Trash, Barry is touring once again. He hits Cherry’s on Fire Island soon, as part of agent David Forest’s porn-star series. Barry also stars in Forest Film’s first production, Brad’s Buddies, due this fall. HX recently caught up with the blue-eyed hottie from his day job in Indiana (another major change!) to find out why he left and why he’s back.

Rod, where have you been?Well, I needed to take a break. After doing porn for a few years, I had fucked my ass off, made a lot of money and partied a lot, then it was time to stop. So I moved away to save my life.How would you describe that first phase of your career?It was fun. I have great memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything.How did you get started originally?I had been in the Marine Corps. I was stripping in San Diego and met [director] Dirk Yates of All Worlds Video. I did a solo scene in one of his Private Collection movies. Then it was a natural progression from there.Were you nervous?Nah, it came natural.So you’ve always been an exhibitionist?Yeah, I have always been pretty open. If I could run around naked all day, I would.Had you been a porn fan?Well, I used to sneak in and watch my dad’s porn tapes. Actually, it was funny to meet Sharon Kane and Nina Hartley and some of these other porn girls after whacking off to them as a 10-year-old.Do you identify as gay, straight or bi these days?I don’t. I’m just me. I’m just sexual.Do you have a favorite movie that you’ve done? Probably Link. I got to be real piggy in that one. Or High Tide, because I had such a great week in Hawaii and I only had to work for two days.Favorite co-star?Logan Reed. We are buddies and have danced all over the country together. He is actually the first guy I bottomed for on-screen. I picked him. We just connect.Did you guys ever date?No, I would never date someone in the industry. I would never date myself.Are you single?Yeah. So, what made you decide to return to the business?It was for the fun of it—and the money. My agent, David Forest, got me to go to the GayVN Awards last year. After that, I decided, okay, let’s do it again. Is it strange to be back after all this time?Well, on the last shoot I did, I kinda felt like I was the elder statesman. I was the oldest person there! I was surrounded by all these new exclusives. I mean, they could cum, like, six times, and I am just not at that point anymore. (laughs)You have also toured and performed live a lot. Yeah, I like to get up and get naked. It’s a compliment that someone would want to come and see me and get a signed picture. It amazes me. I don’t think of myself as that kind of person. I’m not some big musclebound guy. I have a swimmer’s build, but I get up and entertain, and I smile and dance. I love it.And what can our readers expect from your show on Fire Island?If they have seen my movies, they know what to expect: I am a sex pig. I like to give spankings, have fun, bring people onstage with me, party and just have a great time. I hope they enjoy the show. I can’t wait to talk to the people of New York City. It’s one of my favorite places. How long will you stay in the porn industry this time?As long as someone keeps thinking I am attractive, even if I am 40. You can be an older man and still look great. Plus, some people want to watch a man and not a boy. I can see myself making that transition on-screen.Is there anything left that you haven’t done?I think I’ve done everything. I have done pissing scenes and seen a guy shooting beer 15 feet out of his ass, thinking “If my mother could see me now.” So it’s kinda hard to top crazy shit like that! (laughs)

About Vincent Lambert

Vincent Lambert is a New York–based journalist, blogger and photographer who has covered the adult-entertainment industry since 1996. He has written for numerous publications, including Adult Video News, GAYVN, XBIZ, Adam Gay Film & Video Directory, Unzipped, Freshmen, Men, Latin Inches, Black Inches, All-Man, Manshots, Inside Porn and HX. Lambert has interviewed some of gay porn’s brightest stars—such as Jeff Stryker, Ryan Idol and Zeb Atlas—and reported on a variety of events, including Will Clark’s Bad Boys Pool Party and the Gay Erotic Expo. He also served as a judge for the GAYVN Awards for 12 years. In 2006, Lambert stepped behind the camera to write and direct his first scene, titled “Sex Party for Two,” for Lucas Entertainment’s “Encounters 2: The Point of No Return.” In 2007, he created his popular site VincentLambert.com, which features news, gossip and information. His short stories appear in three books from German publisher Bruno Gmünder. E-mail him at VincentLambertNYC@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @VinceLambertNYC.